COMPANIES in Worcestershire are being asked to step out from the shadows and really make a difference to a young person's life.

The Prince's Trust helps young disadvantaged people, aged 14 to 30 years old, realise their potential through financial support, training, information and mentoring.

Now the Trust, which is a registered charity, is seeking outward-looking companies that can help it achieve its aims of helping young people into work and education.

Help could come in the form of cash, advice, business expertise and mentoring skills. And companies becoming involved in the scheme would join a long list of Worcestershire organisations generously giving their time and money.

These include Yamazaki Machine Tools, Worcestershire County Council, Market Link public relations, Worcestershire County Cricket Club, Royal Bank of Scotland and Worcester College of Technology, among others.

Outlined

At a lunch meeting for business people held at Yamazaki Machine Tools, in Warndon, yesterday, regional director Kathy Williams outlined the Trust's aims, including the goal of helping one young person every week to set up their own business in Worcestershire.

The Trust already has a strong track record of helping young people set up businesses, with more than 55 per cent of them still trading successfully in their third year.

Businesses set up with the help of the Prince's Trust include Rune and Resolution, a garden design service and gift shop, in Pershore, Holly's House childcare agency, in Bromsgrove, and Basement 59 web and graphic design, in Worcester.

Alex Lamb, area manager for the Trust's Worcestershire office, said it needed two things to achieve its goals.

"First, we need young people to come forward with interesting business ideas and, second, we need businesses with the conviction to support us financially and through other means.

"Many young people only require a loan of £500 to £2,000 to get their lives working. It's a relatively small price to pay for the impact it has, economically and socially, on their futures."

But it is not about "handouts or prescribed solutions", added Mr Lamb.

If you think you can help, phone Alex Lamb on 01905 27727. For more information click on princes-trust.org.uk